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Fusilier Company gets ‘royal treatment’

  • Published
  • By Capt. Wes Ticer
  • 379th Air Expeditionary Wing
SOUTHWEST ASIA --  A group of redeploying British infantrymen passed through the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing Tuesday and introduced themselves to Airmen who helped them out during some tough days of contact with Taliban forces near Sangin, Afghanistan. 

C Company Group, 2nd Battalion, the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers were treated to a B-1B Lancer tour by the 34th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron "Thunderbirds" who, for a period, were called upon daily to provide close air support to the Fusiliers as they worked to clear Sangin of enemy forces. Through precision bombing and shows of force and presence, the B-1 became very popular with the Fusiliers, who are known by the call sign "Widows." 

"It's been wonderful to come here and share our stories with the B-1 squadron and thank them for the support they gave us during 20 days of contact in Sangin," said Maj. Jim Taylor, company commander. "They are largely responsible for me being able to bring all my guys back alive." 

Major Taylor presented Lt. Col. Jim Pryor, 34th EBS commander, a plaque with the Regimental Crest as a token of thanks. 

The bomber crews were equally interested meeting their Coalition partners. 

"While we were mission planning we'd hear we were going to work with the 'Widows' and we looked forward to it," said Capt. Tom Bowman, 34th EBS pilot, as he spoke to a group of Fusiliers gathered underneath a B-1 on the flightline. "If we were tasked to go there we knew we would drop weapons." 

"You've left Sangin in a mess," shouted one of the Fusiliers, which brought out cheers and laughter from the group. 

Air Fusilier David Welsh called the opportunity to meet the bomber crews and see the jet up close a "once in a lifetime experience." Air Fusilier Christopher Brown said it was "a great experience and seeing the bombs inside the airplane was a treat." 

The exchange made an impression on the bomber crews as well. "It's made the last three months of our deployment worthwhile," said Capt. Greg Mathis, B-1 weapon systems officer. 

"It's an honor to meet these guys," B-1 pilot Capt. Ben Kessler said. "They are the real heroes of the war." 

When Captain Bowman asked the Fusiliers if there is something the bomber crews can improve, Corporal Paul Davies shouted, "Just keep dropping bombs!"